Greencastle-Antrim graduates excelling in college

Friday

Nov 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM

By Ben Destefan

As the fall season comes to a close, several Greencastle-Antrim graduates are wrapping up successful athletic campaigns at the next level, excelling in numerous sports across the collegiate landscape.Ranging from football, field hockey, volleyball and soccer, these former Blue Devils are continuing to make an impact, furthering their careers both on and off the field.———Sarah Gipe wasted little time splashing onto the scene at Liberty University, being recognized as the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference's Rookie of the Year following a sensational freshman season with the Flames.A 2012 graduate of G-A, Gipe scored 13 goals and totaled 28 points, finishing second on the team in both categories. She played in all 22 games as a forward for Liberty, recording three multi-goal games while netting four game-winners.The Flames finished with a record of 16-6, a 10-win improvement from the program's inaugural season a year ago.———Denton Ensminger is receiving significant playing time as a defensive lineman at Virginia Military Institute, seeing action in all nine of the Keydets games thus far.Now a sophomore, the 2011 graduate of G-A has recorded 20 total tackles, including two for a loss.His five-tackle performance against Gardner-Webb on Oct. 27 set a new career high with the former Blue Devil captain notching four tackles against both Charleston Southern and Coastal.VMI (2-7) hosts The Citadel this Saturday before wrapping up its season at home against Liberty on Nov. 17.———John Frick has helped Shepherd University to a 7-2 record, being utilized at tight end in all nine of the Rams games thus far.A 2009 G-A graduate, the Shepherd senior has caught 13 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, ranking fourth on the team in receptions.Currently, the Rams are ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II's Super Region One.Shepherd concludes its regular season schedule at home against Fairmont on Saturday.———Brandon Trefelner has been a big part of Washington & Jefferson's offense, contributing to the Presidents' impressive record of 7-2.Seeing action at wide receiver in all nine games, the W&J junior currently has 14 receptions for 137 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown catch during a 40-14 win over Saint Vincent on Oct. 20.Trefelner, a 2010 graduate of G-A, ranks fifth on the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.The Presidents close out the regular season at Waynesburg on Saturday.———Chad Miller experienced the second 10-0 season of his athletic career last week as a member of the record-setting Shippensburg University football team.A 2011 graduate of G-A, Miller was also part of the Blue Devils' history-making campaign in 2010, with the redshirt freshman seeing action in six of the Raiders' wins thus far.Playing defensive back, Miller has recorded five total tackles while recovering a fumble during last Saturday's 61-9 victory over Cheney.Currently, Shippensburg is ranked atop Super Region One while sitting at No. 7 nationally in the AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll, its highest national ranking in school history.With the PSAC East title already in hand, the Raiders will close out their regular season against West Division winner IUP on Saturday, with the victor being crowned overall PSAC champion.———Tyler Szaflarski, Taylor Blattenberger and Nathan Hykes are all also entering the final weeks of their freshman football seasons at the collegiate level, each progressing toward expanded roles in the future.Szaflarski was designated as a redshirt linebacker at Bloomsburg, Blattenberger is awaiting his opportunity as a wide receiver at Shenandoah and Hykes is a reserve offensive lineman for the 7-2 Aggies at Delaware Valley.———Heather Sanders has made a favorable impression as a freshman at West Virginia Wesleyan, playing in all 19 of the Bobcats women's soccer games this fall.Remembered as a standout sweeper at G-A, Sanders has transitioned to forward with the Bobcats, recording two assists and taking 12 shots during her time of the field.The Bobcats (11-5-3) recently won the WVIAC championship, earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament, where they will play Gannon in today's first round.———Sami Rudy and Ema Bobbitt have both contributed to the women's volleyball team at California University of Pennsylvania, each seeing action during the Vulcans current 26-6 campaign.Rudy, a redshirt freshman and 2011 graduate of G-A, has played in nine matches for Cal U., notching 16 digs at libero.Bobbitt, a 2012 G-A grad, has taken the floor in eight matches as a true freshman, recording 14 digs and three aces for the Vulcans.Currently, Cal U. sits atop the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Rankings with the Vulcans closing out the regular season at Mercyhurst on Saturday.———Emiley Maiorana gained valuable experience during her first year at Bloomsburg, receiving playing time in three games for the Huskies field hockey team.A 2012 graduate of G-A, Maiorana made five saves during her trio of appearances as goalkeeper for Bloomsburg.The Huskies finished the season 14-5 overall, placing second in the PSAC East.———EDITOR'S NOTE: Please feel free to e-mail information regarding any former G-A athletes that are now in college to bend@therecordherald.com. We at The Record Herald strive to include as many graduates as possible, but any help with obtaining pertinent information is greatly appreciated.

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